"What are the melodies like, then?" asked Miss Kennyf.e.c.k, throwing into the question a most eager interest.
"You shall hear, if you like," said Roland, taking up a guitar, and striking a few full chords with a practised hand. "This is one of the war-songs;" and without further preface he began. Had he even been less gifted than he was as to voice and musical taste, there was enough in the bold and manly energy of his manner, in the fiery daring of his dark eyes, and the expressive earnestness of his whole bearing, to attract the admiration of his hearers. But, besides these advantages, he was not unskilled in the science of music, and even made so poor an instrument a full and masterly accompaniment, imitating, as few but Spaniards can do, the distant sound of drums, the dropping fire of cannon, the wild abrupt changes of battle, and the low plaintive sounds of suffering and defeat; so that, as he concluded, the whole character of the performance had ceased to be regarded as a mere musical display, but had the absolute effect of a powerfully told story.
The Kennyf.e.c.ks had often been called on in society to award their praises to amateur performances, in whose applause, be it said, _en pa.s.sant_, a grateful sense of their being concluded always contributes the enthusiasm; but real admiration and pleasure now made them silent, and as their eyes first turned on the singer and then met, there was a world of intelligence in that one quiet, fleeting glance that revealed more of secret thought and feeling than we, as mere chroniclers of events, dare inquire into.
Whether it was that this silence, prolonged for some seconds, suggested the move, or that Mr. Jones began to feel how ign.o.ble a part he had been cast for in the whole evening"s entertainment, but he rose to take his leave at once, throwing into his manner a certain air of easy self-sufficiency, with which in the "courts" he had often dismissed a witness under cross-examination, and by a mere look and gesture contrived to disparage his testimony.
None, save Miss Kennyf.e.c.k, perceived his tactic. She saw it, however, and, with a readiness all her own, replied by a slight elevation of the eyebrow. Jones saw his "signal acknowledged," and went home contented.
Poor man, he was not the first who has been taken into partnership because his small resources were all "ready," and who is ejected from the firm when wider and grander speculations are entered on. I am not certain either that he will be the last!
Mr. Softly next withdrew, his leave-taking having all the blended humility and cordiality of his first arrival; and now Mr. Kennyf.e.c.k was awakened out of a very sound nap by his wife saying in his ear, "Will you ask Mr. Cashel if he "ll take a biscuit and a gla.s.s of wine before he retires?"
The proposition was politely declined, and after a very cordial hand-shaking with all the members of the family, Cashel said his good-night and retired.
CHAPTER VII. PEEPS BEHIND THE CURTAIN.
Ich mochte ihn im Schlafrock sehen.
Der Reisende Teufel.
(I "d like to see him in his robe-de-chambre.)
(The Travelling Devil.)
There has always appeared to us something of treachery, not to speak of indelicacy, in the privileges authors are wont to a.s.sume in following their characters into their most secret retirement, watching there their every movement and gesture, overhearing their confidential whisperings,--nay, sometimes sapping their very thoughts, for the mere indulgence of a prying, intrusive curiosity.
For this reason, highly appreciating, as we must do, the admirable wit of the "Diable Boiteux," and the pleasant familiar humor of the "Hermite de la Chaussee d"Antin," we never could entirely reconcile ourselves to the means by which such amusing views of life were obtained, while we entertain grave doubts if we,--that is, the world at large,--have any right to form our judgments of people from any other evidence than what is before the public. It appears to us somewhat as if, that following Romeo or Desdemona into the Green-room, we should be severe upon the want of keeping which suggested the indulgence of a cigar or a pot of porter, and angry at the high-flown illusions so grossly routed and dispelled.
"Act well your part; there all the honour lies," said the poet moralist; but it"s rather hard to say that you are to "act" it off as well as on the stage; and if it be true that no man is a hero to his valet, the valet should say nothing about it; and this is the very offence we think novel-writers commit, everlastingly stripping off the decorations and destroying the illusions they take such trouble to create, for little else than the vain boastfulness of saying, See, upon what flimsy materials I can move you to sentiments of grief, laughter, pity, or contempt. Behold of what vulgar ingredients are made up the highest aspirations of genius,--the most graceful fascinations of beauty.
Having denounced, by this recorded protest, the practice, and disclaiming, as we must do, all desire to benefit by its enjoyment, we desire our reader, particularly if he be of the less worthy gender, to feel a due sense of the obligation he owes us, if we claim his company for half an hour on such a voyage of discovery. Step softly, there is no excuse for noise, as the stair-carpet is thick, and not a sound need be heard. Gently, as you pa.s.s that green door,--that is the bedroom of Mr.
and Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k. We will not linger there, nor invade the sanct.i.ty of those precincts, within which the monotonous tones of Mrs. K. are heard, revelling in that species of domestic eloquence which, like the liberty of the press, is oftener pleasant to those who employ, than to those who receive its judgments. Here for a few minutes let us stay. This is Roland Cashel"s apartment; and, strange enough, instead of sleeping, he is up at his table, writing, too,--he, of all men the least epistolary.
There may be no great indication of character in mere handwriting, but the manner, the gesture, the degree of rapidity of the writer, as seen at the moment, are all full of individuality. Mark, then, with what speed his pen moves; not the daisy-cutting sling of the accomplished rider, but the slashing gallop of the heavy charger. Many a blot, never an erasure,--so, there it goes,--"Yours ever, Roland Cashel." And now, he begins another.
Come, these are no times for squeamishness. Let us antic.i.p.ate "Sir James," and read before he seals it.
Dublin. My dear Comrade,--We are neither of us very gifted letter-writers, but events are always enough to tell, even when style be wanting; and here am I, so overwhelmed by the rush of new sensations that I know not where to begin, or how to tell what has really happened since we parted, nor distinguish actual stubborn facts from my own fancies. My brief note from Porto Giacomo told you that I had succeeded to something like fifteen thousand pounds a year. I believe it is rather more, with a good round sum, I don"t know how much, in bank; and now, here I am," just arrived, but marvellously at home, in the house of the worthy fellow that has established my claim.
If I only knew so much of my good luck, I "d say it was no bad thing to be pleasantly domesticated in a capital mansion, with every refinement and luxury at hand, and two such girls, the daughters! Oh, _amigo mio_, you"d think wondrous little of the Barcelonetta belles, if I could show you these damsels! Such tempting shyness; such shrinking, playful modesty; and then so frank, without that slap-dash abruptness! Never mind,--I own freely that Maritana is lovely; there is not such a mouth--as to a foot--well, well. I wish I could take a peep at you all again, just as night closes, and she comes out to take her walk upon the gra.s.s, and hear her singing as she went, or watch her as she danced the manolo, which--by the way--one of the girls here caught up wonderfully, and in almost an instant too. But the manolo, with a long, sweeping, flounced, and furbelowed petticoat! Only think of the absurdity! Not but she looked exceedingly pretty the while, but how much better had she, if one could only have cut half a yard off her drapery!
Have you received the pistols I sent from London? I hope you "ll think them handsome,--I know they are true, having tried them at thirty-five, and even fifty paces. The yataghan I "m certain you "ll admire; it has the peculiar handle and hilt you "re fond of. Pray let our friends on the Chilian side learn something of the qualities of the blade itself. I have been thinking since about the emeralds--and perhaps Maritana may refuse them. If so, do what you will with them so that I hear no more of the matter. And now for the bond: release me from that tie by all means. It is not that I really feel it in the light of a contract,--Maritana never did; but I have it ever on my mind, like a debt. I give you full powers: draw upon me for the sum you please, and I promise not to dishonor the check. Pedro likes a good bargain, and don"t balk him!
I don"t know what your own views are in that quarter, but I tell you frankly that Maritana has higher and bolder aspirations than either you or I were likely to aid her in attaining. She is a proud girl, Enrique, and will never care for any man that is not able and willing to elevate her into a very different sphere from that she moves in. I never actually loved her,--I certainly do not do so now,--and yet I cannot get her out of my head.
Before I forget it, let me ask you to pay Ruy Dias two hundred doubloons for me. The horse I killed was not worth forty; but, these are not times for bargaining, and the fellow didn"t want to part with the beast Alconetti--the Italian in the Plaza--has something against me,--pay it too; and now that I am on the subject of debts, whenever you next cruise off Ventillanos, send a party on sh.o.r.e to catch the dean, and give him four-and-twenty with a rope"s end,-- say it is from me; he "ll know why, and so shall you, when you inform me that it has been cleverly effected.
Above all, my dear boy, write; I so long to hear about you all, and to know all that has happened since I left you.
Send the old trunks with my uniform to the agents in the Havannah; I "d like to see them once more. Francois may keep anything else of mine, except what you would like to select as a "souvenir." Don"t let Rica write to me. I feel I should have no chance in a correspondence with him; nor need I have any, because whatever you say, I agree to,-- remember that.
If you can manage about the emeralds, it would be the most gratifying news to me. You might tell her that we are so certain of never meeting again, and that all is now over forever, and so on,--it would have an air of unkindness to reject them. Besides, I see no reason why she should! No matter; I needn"t multiply reasons, where, if one will not suffice, a thousand must fail, and the chances are, if she suspect my anxiety on the subject, it will decide her against me. Do it, then, all in your own way.
Have I said all I wanted? Heaven knows! My head is full; my heart, too, is not without its load. I wish you were here. I wish it for many reasons. I already begin to suspect you are right about the sudden effect a spring into wealth may produce; but I hope that all you said on that score may not be true. If I thought so, I "d--No matter, I "ll endeavor to show that you are unjust, and that is better. Yours ever,
Roland Cashel.
Don Enrique da Cordova,
Lieutenant of the Columbian frigate "Esmeralda." Care of Messrs. Eustache et Le Moine, merchants, Havannah.
The next epistle which followed was far more brief. It was thus:--
Messrs. Vanderhaeghen und Droek, Antwerp.
Enclosed is an order on Hamerton for seventeen thousand four hundred and forty-eight gulden, princ.i.p.al and interest for three years, of an unjust demand made by you on me before the tribunal of Bruges.
You failed, even with all the aid of your knavish laws and more knavish countrymen, to establish this iniquitous claim, and only succeeded in exhibiting yourselves as rogues and swindlers,--good burgher-like qualities in your commercial city.
I have now paid what I never owed; but there still remains between us an unsettled score. Let my present punctuality guarantee the honorable intentions I entertain of settling it one day; till when, as you have shown yourselves my enemy,
Believe me to be yours, Roland Cashel.
The order on the banker ran as follows:--
Pay to Vanderhaeghen und Droek, two of the greatest knaves alive, seventeen thousand four hundred and forty-eight gulden, being the princ.i.p.al and interest for three years of a dishonest claim made upon Roland Cashel. To Hamerton and Co., Cheapside.
With all that soothing consciousness we hear is the result of good actions, Cashel lay down on his bed immediately on concluding this last epistle, and was fast asleep almost before the superscription was dried.
And now, worthy reader, another peep, and we have done. Ascending cautiously the stairs, you pa.s.s through a little conservatory, at the end of which a heavy cloth curtain conceals a door. It is that of a dressing-room, off which, at opposite sides, two bedrooms lie. This same dressing-room, with its rose-colored curtains and ottoman, its little toilet-tables of satin-wood, its mirrors framed in alabaster, its cabinets of buhl, and the book-shelves so coquettishly curtained with Malines lace, is the common property of the two sisters whom we so lately introduced to your notice.
There were they wont to sit for hours after the return from a ball, discussing the people they had met, their dress, their manner, their foibles and flirtations; criticising with no mean acuteness all the varied games of match-making mammas and intriguing aunts, and canva.s.sing the schemes and snares so rife around them. And oh, ye simple worshippers of muslin-robed innocence! oh, ye devoted slaves of ringleted loveliness and blooming freshness! bethink ye what wily projects lie crouching in hearts that would seem the very homes of careless happiness; what calculations; what devices; how many subtleties that only beauty wields, or simple man is vanquished by!
It was considerably past midnight as the two girls sat at the fire, their dressing-gowns and slippered feet showing that they had prepared for bed; but the long luxuriant hair, as yet uncurled, flowed in heavy ma.s.ses on their neck and shoulders. They did not, as usual, converse freely together; a silence and a kind of constraint sat upon each, and although Olivia held a book before her, it was less for the purpose of reading than as a screen against the fire, while her sister sat with folded arms and gently drooping head, apparently lost in thought. It was after a very lengthened silence, and in a voice which showed that the speaker was following up some train of thought, Miss Kennyf.e.c.k said,--
"And do you really think him handsome, Olivia?"
"Of whom are you speaking, dear?" said Olivia, with the very softest accent.
Miss Kennyf.e.c.k started; her pale cheeks became slightly red as, with a most keen irony, she replied, "Could you not guess? Can I mean any one but Mr. Clare Jones?"
"Oh, he"s a downright fright," answered the other; "but what could have made you think of him?"
"I was not thinking of him, nor were you either, sister dear," said Miss Kennyf.e.c.k, fixing her eyes full upon her; "we were both thinking of the same person. Come, what use in such subterfuges? Honesty, Livy, may not be the "best policy," but it has one great advantage,--it saves a deal of time; and so I repeat my question, do you think him handsome?"
"If you mean Mr. Cashel, dearest," said the younger, half bashfully, "I rather incline to say he is. His eyes are very good; his forehead and brow--"